Jakarta Post
No doubt you've heard that her new single is #1 in one day on iTunes.
Other quick "We Are Never Ever" factoids:
Mediabase reports the song has already been heard by nearly 42 million radio listeners on Country, Top 40, Rhythmic, Hot AC and AC stations.
BDS indicates how deep the penetration has already been in less than two full days across North America:
The average radio station in all these formats has spun it more than five times already. That average is skewed by the Big Machine-Clear Channel shared revenue relationship, since most Clear Channel stations played it once per hour in the 29 hours from after her Monday night fan Google+/You Tube webinar until late last night. One Clear Channel country station played it every 20 minutes in multiple hours between midnight and 5 am.
What impact will this have? Is it possible that "We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together" will debut on next week's spin charts at #1?
Country fans, historically, have reacted negatively to crossover airplay, as both Faith Hill and Shania Twain can attest. After their amazing success on multiple charts in the late-90's, they never again were as easy an add for country radio as they were before it.
My favorite head-scratcher example of the phenomenon is Dolly Parton. After "Islands In The Stream" with Kenny Rogers and of course "Nine To Five," she has not had a big hit like her pre-crossover successes and movie stardom.
If the amazingly talented and prolific Dolly's not country enough for our listeners, who could possibly be??
Topping five radio format airplay charts in less than two days is an amazing achievement. In my lifetime only Elvis was able to do anything even comparable.
Clearly, Taylor is now much bigger than "country," which is terrific for her, because most likely she's going to have a very difficult time when it comes to listener research on her music if history is a reliable guide to the future.
So, Taylor, don't blame country music radio if we're slower to add your music in the future as we work hard to reflect the always-fickle tastes of country listeners.
You're in very good company.
2 comments:
"Country fans, historically, have reacted negatively to crossover airplay, as both Faith Hill and Shania Twain can attest. After their amazing success on multiple charts in the late-90's, they never again were as easy an add for country radio as they were before it."
I had this SAME comment to Scott Borchetta a few years ago. He didn't want to hear it. Glad someone agrees with me.
This is truly off to an incredible start not only at radio but our digital retail is on the verge of history-making. Thank you for having the vision to service your younger listeners.
On the sales front Taylor sold over 300k digital singles in the first day and a half… Lady Gaga has the female debut record at 448k and Flo Rida has the overall record at 630k. We'll see… Certainly on pace to beat Gaga.
Post a Comment